England's only FIFA winner: Ardwick hero Eddie Afekafe tells how he was inspired by David Beckham

It may have been a disastrous result for England – but a Manchester man can hold his head high after stealing the show in Zurich. Ardwick’s 28-year-old Eddie Afekafe won hearts across the globe – if not on the FIFA panel – when he opened the nation’s presentation.

Ardwick’s 28-year-old Eddie Afekafe won hearts across the globe – if not on the FIFA panel – when he opened the nation’s presentation.

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It may have been a disastrous result for England – but a Manchester man can hold his head high after stealing the show in Zurich.

Ardwick’s 28-year-old Eddie Afekafe won hearts across the globe – if not on the FIFA panel – when he opened the nation’s presentation.

He spoke with clarity and dignity of a time when he was unemployed and struggling to find a job in one of Manchester’s toughest areas.

And he told how a visit to Moss Side job centre led him to a career with Manchester City, changing lives in the community.

Ultimately it was not enough to land the tournament for his country, but the unlikely hero’s efforts won praise far and wide.

Speaking exclusively to the M.E.N. from Zurich, Eddie said the thought of his younger brother and sister, plus a little help from David Beckham, inspired him as he took the microphone.

He said: “My brother is 12 and I have a little sister. I kept thinking about where they would be in eight years and I wanted to do it for them. I drew strength from that.

“I have had a lot of support and it has been an absolute honour and a privilege – a phenomenal experience. It is something I will cherish and a story to tell the kids and their kids. I am truly blessed.”

Eddie, a former Oakwood High pupil, was unemployed when the job centre put him on a Prince’s Trust course that led to his career at City, where he works on the Kickz initiative.

He sat alongside Prince William and David Beckham as England were told it was Russia, and not them, who would host the tournament.

When asked if Beckham, a United hero, gave him any stick for working for the old enemy, Eddie smiled and said: “The man has been an absolute inspiration to me. He gave me so much support.”

Eddie admitted his meteoric rise to fame had taken him by surprise:¿“This is a faraway dream. When I was at school I wanted to be a footballer. I never thought this would happen.

“I like to think I have helped young people and I want to help more.”

Eddie’s mum Elizabeth, of Bank Mill Close, said she was ‘so proud’ of her son.

She said: “He has been a true ambassador for his country and for Manchester City. I was bursting with pride seeing him at Downing Street a few weeks ago and on that stage in Zurich.

“He has turned his life around through Manchester City, God and through the Prince’s Trust and now through the work he and the rest of the team do at City, he is helping others do the same.”

Speaking from Spinningfields, where hundreds gathered to watch the decision relayed back on a big screen, City chief executive Garry Cook hailed Eddie’s efforts.

He said: “He has done us proud and he did the country proud.”

Manchester council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein described the decision to hand the tournament to Russia as ‘extraordinary’.

Both Eastlands and Old Trafford would have hosted games and the city ­is thought to have lost out on £150m as a result of Fifa’s decision.